AndyReef's 110g Reef Build

[AndyReef]

I've been moving around from apartment to apartment a lot in the past few years, I know what you are thinking, and no I am not running from the IRS. Its been a while since I have had a tank; that's about to change. My wife let me buy a 110 gallon tank on my birthday. I'd like any input, design tips, or even criticism from anybody willing to help out.

Here is the plan thus far:

I am building a 110 gallon system using a Marineland/Perfecto reef ready glass tank. I planning a substrate free system but I haven't completely made up my mind. I am going to be using DIY rock as a base with live rock to seed. I am planning on housing primarily SPS and clams, with some LPS, and softies as well.

I built a sump this weekend using an Aqueon 40 gallon breeder. I drilled a hole for the return pump and put in some 0.25" glass dividers. Currently it has a section for my skimmer and a section that could be used as a refugium, but the refugium section might just be a reservoir for now.

I have a new Vertex 280 skimmer, which is a needle wheel-type skimmer.

I also have two Pan-World 50PX-X pumps, one for return and one for closed loop.

I am probably going to get some sort of dual 250 Watt HQI fixture but haven't decided on one yet.

I still need to choose an RO/DI system, and a calcium reactor. I also need to decide if I am going to drill the 110 for the closed loop or just go over the top.

Any suggestions, ideas, comments, stock tips or anything else would be great.

 

[AndyReef]

For my sump I started with an Aqueon (formerly All-Glass) 40 gallon breeder. I drilled a hole for the 1" bulkhead in the return section. I used a 1 3/4" diamond hole saw on a drill guide with a cordless drill. A little plumbers putty for a reservoir and some water plus a little patience is all it takes. I hadn't drilled a hole like this for a few years and my pressure wasn't perfect throughout the drilling so the edges are a little ragged, but it is certainly usable, just a couple little knicks in the edge.

To put in the dividers I used painters masking tape to keep the silicone edges nice and straight. I had the guy at the local hardware store cut some 0.25" glass for the dividers. I used a square to place the tape.

The tallest section could be used as a refugium in the future. If I do use it as a refugium it will need to have another small piece of glass placed in front of the first baffle as a substrate fence. The second section is for the skimmer. I made a platform for this section using some PVC legs and eggcrate. The extra sections of PVC under the upper baffles was just to keep it from sliding while the silicone hardened.

 

[Electrobes]

This is looking like a very thought out, well done start. My only worry/question is whether you water tested the sump?

I went through 3 Aqueon 40Br tanks before I found one that didn't leak! I don't want to scare you, but just passing my experience.

Looking forward to more!

 

[AndyReef]

I did water test it today. The tank and each compartment were water tight. Then I filled it to the top and let it sit for a few hours. That's a valid concern. I have had pretty good experience with AGA and Aqueon in the past. I wonder why you had so much trouble finding a sealed tank. Were they used or new?

 

[AndyReef]

Here are some pics from the water test. You can really tell how the patio is graded for drainage if you look at the water line.

Full

 

[knucklehead562]

how much did that tank run you?

 

[Electrobes]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14857319#post14857319 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by AndyReef
I did water test it today. The tank and each compartment were water tight. Then I filled it to the top and let it sit for a few hours. That's a valid concern. I have had pretty good experience with AGA and Aqueon in the past. I wonder why you had so much trouble finding a sealed tank. Were they used or new?

All three aqueons were new, unfortunately.

I really like how clean the sump is with the silicone work. Loks really nice!

 

[AndyReef]

Thanks. How does one get to be so lucky to be a house husband?

 

[Electrobes]

By marrying a doctor :lol:

 

[spleify]

Looks like some good clean work so far. Can't wait to see it come together!

 

[gradth]

Very nice sump. cant wait to see the tank.

 

[AndyReef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14870748#post14870748 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Electrobes
By marrying a doctor :lol:

But I am married to a doctor!

 

[Electrobes]

:lol: I hadn't noticed you are a surgery resident, my wife is a family medicine resident. I know my wife's schedule is kibbles next to what your schedule must be life.. not to mention your wife too!

Thankfully this is my wife's last year coming up, but she got chief resident so I still don't get to see her.. even if her official schedule has laxed!

I also hadn't noticed till now you're in Florida. We're from West Palm Beach.

 

[AndyReef]

I had the afternoon free today so I decided to spend it with my new friend Ken. He's the electrician I found on Google. With a little problem solving and a very interesting conversation with my wife, we managed to install a new GFI outlet on a dedicated 20 amp circuit in my living room. During the course of our adventure, we found a very large area of wasted space under the stairs near my entryway that is going to become a sweet new storage area once I get the time to put in some drywall and some hardwood flooring.

Here are some pictures.

This is my new GFI outlet.

Here is the only section that had to be placed in conduit, we managed to snake the rest of it through the walls. Also to the right you can see the hole we cut into the drywall under the stairs. Maybe someday I will post pictures of that space and its transformation into a new closet.

You probably can't tell, but there is a dedicated breaker switch in my breaker box for the 20 amp circuit that my aquarium will be on.

GFI outlets are pretty important since our hobby is basically just asking to electrify some salt water. Also, 20 amps is most likely overkill but gives me room to do whatever I will need to do. As a rule of thumb, a household circuit can typically handle a continuous load of 80% of the rating on the circuit. So in this case I can run a 15 amp load continuously.

 

[AndyReef]

I just realized the poor quality of my camera. I'll have to start using my other one.

 

[AndyReef]

I did a little work over the weekend. I started working on a stand. Here are some pictures.


I'd love to hear suggestions on how I should go about skinning it. I tend to like more modern styles of furniture.

Wait for it . . .

There it is.

 

[AndyReef]

Any suggestions?

 

[AndyReef]

I decided it was time to water test the main tank this weekend and test fit it on the stand.
I let the water sit in there for 48 hours, no drips!

.

 

[Tangweed]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14908381#post14908381 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by AndyReef
I had the afternoon free today so I decided to spend it with my new friend Ken. He's the electrician I found on Google. With a little problem solving and a very interesting conversation with my wife, we managed to install a new GFI outlet on a dedicated 20 amp circuit in my living room. During the course of our adventure, we found a very large area of wasted space under the stairs near my entryway that is going to become a sweet new storage area once I get the time to put in some drywall and some hardwood flooring.

Here are some pictures.

This is my new GFI outlet.

Here is the only section that had to be placed in conduit, we managed to snake the rest of it through the walls. Also to the right you can see the hole we cut into the drywall under the stairs. Maybe someday I will post pictures of that space and its transformation into a new closet.

You probably can't tell, but there is a dedicated breaker switch in my breaker box for the 20 amp circuit that my aquarium will be on.

GFI outlets are pretty important since our hobby is basically just asking to electrify some salt water. Also, 20 amps is most likely overkill but gives me room to do whatever I will need to do. As a rule of thumb, a household circuit can typically handle a continuous load of 80% of the rating on the circuit. So in this case I can run a 15 amp load continuously.

Tagging along My buddy did the samething 6 months ago when we finished my basement. He's an electrician of course.

 

[AndyReef]

I made some rocks with oystershell and white portland a few months ago. It air cured for about 2 months and it has been curing in fresh water with daily changes for about 6 weeks. The pH of the water read 8.2 today after a 24 hour soak. They aren't the prettiest rocks, but they will certainly get the job done, I'll post some pics later.